Astros' Aoki getting playing time vs. lefties

Updated 9:56 pm, Saturday, April 15, 2017

Jose Altuve couldn't be happier after new Astros teammate Nori Aoki, right, homered in the fifth inning Friday night against the Athletes.

Jose Altuve couldn't be happier after new Astros teammate Nori Aoki, right, homered in the fifth inning Friday night against the Athletes.

Photo: Ben Margot, STF

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Offseason outfield acquisition Nori Aoki was a hit in his first at-bat as an Astro, singling off Mariners ace Felix Hernandez in the third inning.

Offseason outfield acquisition Nori Aoki was a hit in his first at-bat as an Astro, singling off Mariners ace Felix Hernandez in the third inning.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

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Nori Aoki rapped three singles in his first two games with the Astros.

Nori Aoki rapped three singles in his first two games with the Astros.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

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Astros left fielder Nori Aoki will be the only major league player on Japan's roster as it bids for a third World Baseball Classic championship.

Astros left fielder Nori Aoki will be the only major league player on Japan's roster as it bids for a third World Baseball Classic championship.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

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The international language of the fist bump bonds Astros free-agent signees Nori Aoki, left, and Carlos Beltran on Thursday at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

The international language of the fist bump bonds Astros free-agent signees Nori Aoki, left, and Carlos Beltran on Thursday at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photographer

Astros' Aoki getting playing time vs. lefties

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OAKLAND --- Although it was expected coming into the season Nori Aoki would play almost exclusively against righthanders, Astros manager A.J. Hinch actually views the left-handed hitting outfielder as essentially platoon neutral.

Aoki's start in left field on Saturday against the A's Sean Manaea was already his third against a lefthander this season. He also started the Astros' April 6 game against the Seattle Mariners' Ariel Miranda and their April 7 game against the Kansas City Royals' Jason Vargas.

Some of his usage against same-sided pitching is a product of how many lefthanders the Astros have faced early in the season. Of their first 12 games, seven have come against lefties.

But Aoki coming into Saturday was also a career .307/.365/.378 hitter against lefthanders (693 at-bats) compared to a .278/.349/.392 hitter against righthanders (1707 at-bats). He played Saturday over Josh Reddick, whom Hinch has said he will play against certain lefthanders but not others based on the opposing pitcher's style.

"There are certain styles of lefties that I like for each particular lefty (hitter), but he puts up tough at-bats regardless of handedness," Hinch said of Aoki. "Especially when he's swinging the bat well and in the strike zone and doing Aoki things, there's a real comfort that he's going to put up a tough at-bat."

Odds & ends- Major League Baseball on Saturday honored the 70th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier. Every player in the majors wore No. 42 in Saturday's games. Several Astros pre-game at the Coliseum sported black T shirts with the word "Equality" on the front and the No. 42 on the back.

- The Astros' 8-4 start is their best through 12 games since 2006, when they had the same record.

- Saturday afternoon's game marked the first time this season Evan Gattis caught Lance McCullers Jr. Brian McCann, who came off the bench Saturday, will catch Charlie Morton for the first time this season on Sunday.

- Alex Bregman was hit by a pitch from Sean Manaea in the first inning Saturday, the third time he was hit in the last two games. Only the Chicago Cubs' Anthony Rizzo (four) has been hit more this season.

- With two more stolen bases Saturday, Jose Altuve moved into sole possession of sixth place on the Astros' all-time list with 204 for his career. After passing Hall of Famer Jeff Bagwell (202), Altuve's next targets are Terry Puhl (217) and Joe Morgan (219).